Today, I saw a psychiatrist for the first time. He asked me what had brought me there, so I said I needed to get over some issues. He told me to close my eyes and visualize myself constructing a bridge. I paid to get told to build a bridge in my mind's eye. FML

Picturing a bridge is a form of meditation the psychiatrist was getting you to relax . it's also suppose to help you subconsciously . try going a few more times and see if you improve . I just don't understand why you aren't seeing a therapist instead

Paranoia itself isn't a disorder but is a sign of a mental disorder. There is however Paranoid Personality disorder which is a pervasive pattern of mistrust, suspicion and onset fixed delusions. I hate it when people like you jump to conclusions. Get get your facts straight buddy.

Most things during therapy or counseling seem pointless. But they're not. If you were OP, would you rather him ask "how does that make you feel?" every two minutes and not really help with the issues at all, or would you rather be told to do things that could potentially be a stepping stone on the way to perfect mental health?

There are different techniques including psychotherapy which can be used in future sessions but a psychiatrist will not jump to using diagnostic tools and evaluation on the first session. This technique could be used to see how the patient functions.

That's a valid question. So many people seem to think their therapists are there to solve all their problems but that's not what it's about.

OP, your doc is trying to get you to handle your issues in a healthy way. If you could get over your issues in one session, you probably wouldn't need therapy at all. Stop being hyper-critical and give it a try.

You're like someone who goes to the doctor for weight problems and gets angry when he receives a diet plan. The first few times, you'll leave the same way you came. But follow the advice, stick with it, and one day you'll realise you feel a bit different or that some "issues" are now no big deal.

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